U.S. Soccer, in collaboration with Kentucky Youth Soccer and other member organizations, will begin conducting four new in-person Grassroots License Courses as well as the updated D License Course in the coming weeks/months. Each of these educational opportunities are hosted by U.S. Soccer member organizations and are tailored around the four new Grassroots game models: 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11. These course options will offer coaches the chance to learn more about how to develop a player-centered approach to coaching.
Spanning 4-hours in length, each in-person Grassroots Course consists of both classroom and field-based sessions. Coaches will learn more about U.S. Soccer's Coaching Education philosophy, Play-Practice-Play Methodology, and the Six Tasks of a Grassroots Coach among other topics. The newly revamped D License is a culmination of all four game models and an extension of the Grassroots courses. After completion of the Grassroots Courses, coaches will have the knowledge and tools to positively impact their player and the environment in which they interact.
Together with U.S. Soccer, Kentucky Youth Soccer is committed to improving the experience and level of youth players through empowering coaches with low-barrier, easily accessible education.
Grassroots Course Descriptions
Please note that Kentucky Youth Soccer will offer US Soccer Grassroots courses in a blended format for the foreseeable future, where the classroom portion of the course will be done virtually and the field portion of the course will be done in person. Blended format courses are considered in-person courses for US Soccer.
The 4v4, 7v7, 9v9 & 11v11 In-Person Course Grassroots Courses are a four-hour course that builds on the principles covered in U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module. Specifically, candidates will learn more about U.S. Soccer’s Grassroots Coaching Education Philosophy, Play-Practice-Play Methodology, the Six Tasks of a Coach, and the characteristics of players appropriately aged for the specific course. The course will also ask each candidate to reflect on their experiences to develop action steps for personal growth.
Eligibility Requirements: In order to register for any of In-Person Course, candidates must have completed U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module.
The 4v4 Online Course is a two-hour course that builds on the principles covered in U.S. Soccer's Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module. Specifically, candidates will learn more about U.S. Soccer's Grassroots Coaching Education Philosophy, Play-Practice-Play Methodology, the Six Tasks of a Coach, and the characteristics of players aged 6-8. The course will also ask each candidate to reflect on their experiences to develop action steps for personal growth.
Eligibility Requirements: In order to register for the 4v4 online Course, candidates must have completed U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module.
Click here to find upcoming courses!
National D License Course Description
Course Details: The Blended National D license is a 40 to 45-hour course, that is comprised of two components: an online classroom session and a one-day on-field session. The course is designed for the grassroots coach working with players 6U-13U in a participation driven environment and focuses on all four game models as outline in the Player Development Initiatives (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11).
The goals of the course are to help coaches understand how:
- to create game-like training sessions that encourage players ownership (decision-making)
- to create a game day environment that encourages players ownership (decision-making)
The learning objectives of this course are to facilitate coach improvement in the Six Tasks of a Coach with an emphasis on developing the team and individual players by learning how:
- to demonstrate an understanding of developmental stages and age characteristics
- to observe the game, recognize formations and all player actions
- to further develop a comprehensive understanding of Play-Practice-Play methodology.
- to organize, execute and reflect on 2 Play-Practice-Play training sessions based on the same goal in 1 week.
Coaches who register for this course can expect weekly learning opportunities that will feature a mixture of independent learning using online modules and live virtual meetings led by a licensed U.S. Soccer Instructor. Coaches will be asked to participate in discussions so each person should have access to the internet and web-camera/live video capabilities. The virtual meetings will take place agreed upon days and times (see course schedule). Coaches may be asked to participate in the field component as either coaches or players, so please come prepared to actively learn.
Click here for the D License schedule.
Eligibility Requirements: A unique combination of three of the eight Grassroots Licenses now formally represent the prerequisite to progress to the U.S. Soccer D License. Specifically, candidates must have completed a minimum of three grassroots courses, in the form of two in-person courses and one online course:
- Two in-person courses (one of which must be the 11v11)
- One online course across any of the four levels (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11)
- Coaching candidates who have earned the E or F License will have the following opportunities to use those certifications toward the D License prerequisites:
- U.S. Soccer E License + Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module
- U.S. Soccer F License + Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module + 11v11 in-person license + one other in-person license
Candidates that register for this course are expected to attend all course meetings to be eligible to receive the license.
Click here to find upcoming courses!
Course Fees
| Course |
Kentucky Youth Soccer Course Fee |
| Introduction to Grassroots Coaching |
Free 20 minute Online Course |
| Grassroots Online Course |
$25 per candidate |
| 4v4 In Person Grassroots License |
$70 per candidate |
| 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 In Person License |
$90 per candidate |
| D License |
$325 Per Candidate |
A U.S. Soccer surcharge will be added to the price package upon registration in the US Soccer Learning Center for all courses aside from the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Course.
Course Cancellation Policy
Candidate Cancellation: No refunds will be issued to any candidate that cancels within 10 days of the course start date unless medical or family emergency documentation is provided. It is preferred that the candidate attempt to transfer their registration to a future course hosted by Kentucky Youth Soccer Association.
Candidate No Show: No refunds will be issued If the candidate does not show up for a course, or fails to notify Kentucky Youth Soccer at least 10 days prior to the course start date.
Partial Attendance: No refunds will be issued if a candidate registers for a course but only attends a portion of the course. If a candidate attends the majority of the course, but has to miss a small portion of the course the candidate must notify Kentucky Youth Soccer as soon as possible. The candidate will then need to attend a future course to make up for the missed portion at no additional fee before the license can be issued.
Kentucky Youth Soccer Cancellation: Full refunds will be issued to candidates Coaching Education Course cancelled by Kentucky Youth Soccer Association.
Upcoming Courses
Kentucky Youth Soccer offers U.S. Soccer Grassroots courses in a blended format. The classroom portion of these courses are virtual, and the field portion of these courses are in person. Blended format courses count as in-person courses for U.S. Soccer.
Click here to review all available coaching education courses.
Kentucky Youth Soccer Minimum Coaching Standards
Club Director of Coaching or Technical Director
A Club Director of Coaching/Technical Director is defined as an individual coach who is directly involved with the hiring and/or releasing of coaches for the club. Additionally, they oversee the overall education of coaches, players and parents. These positions play a vital role in implementing coaching education policies on behalf of Kentucky Youth Soccer. A volunteer is defined as a person who receives no payment or expense reimbursement for their services.
- Full-Time Select & Recreational:
|
U.S. Soccer “C” License |
- Part-Time Select & Recreational:
|
U.S. Soccer “C” License |
- Volunteer Select & Recreational:
|
U.S. Soccer “D” License |
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U.S. Soccer “D” License |
Select/Academy Soccer Coaches
The minimum coaching standards incorporating the new US Soccer Grassroots Licenses will commence September 1, 2018 and will be effective immediately.
9U-10U Select/Academy Teams:
|
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7v7 & 9v9 In Person License or U.S. Soccer “E” License |
|
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7v7 & 9v9 In Person License or U.S. Soccer “E” License |
10U–12U Select Teams:
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9v9 & 11v11 In Person License or U.S. Soccer “E” License |
|
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9v9 & 11v11 In Person License or U.S. Soccer “E” License |
13U–19U Select Teams:
| Head Coach: |
U.S. Soccer “D” License |
| Assistant Coach: |
U.S. Soccer “D” License |
Any coach with the NSCAA National Diploma or above obtained prior to 2009 will be grandfathered in under the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association minimum coaching standards. If that coach chooses to start the US Soccer Pathway, they will have to begin with the Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Course.
All new coaches will have a six-month grace period to begin the US Soccer Coaching Pathway. Coaches that don’t hold the minimum required license for the age group they are coaching must show that they are in the process of working toward earning the appropriate license.
Policing of Standards
Team Managers are not permitted on the player’s sideline unless the Head Coach has been ejected or in the case of an injury to a player.
Directors of Coaching or Technical Directors may be listed on the team roster; however, if they are not the official Head Coach for the team they must be listed as an Assistant Coach.
Teams wishing to participate in Kentucky Youth Soccer State Open Cup, Presidents Cup, Soccer Village Cup & Kentucky Premier League must have coaches listed on the roster as Head or Assistant Coach that meet the minimum coaching standard requirements.
Teams competing in these events will submit rosters online to the Kentucky Youth Soccer Office to be reviewed by Kentucky Youth Soccer’s Technical Director before they can be approved.
If a roster is not approved, the roster and player cards will not be accessible for printing until a coach with the appropriate licensure is added to the roster.
How to Host a Course
Below are Procedures for Hosting a US Soccer Grassroots course with Kentucky Youth Soccer Association.
Host Duties
Sites must have the following:
- Classroom space must have an overhead projector/screen, a whiteboard and flipcharts. Kentucky Youth Soccer Association Instructors will bring the Lap-Top and LCD projector, however please provide power strips and extension cords.
- 12 candidates to 1 instructor ratio
- Appropriate Outdoor Space/Field. Each 12:1 group will need to work on half of an appropriate size field. See chart below for a guide on field space needed.
|
License
|
12:1
|
24:2
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36:3
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48:4
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4v4 Grassroots
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1 x 4v4 Field
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1 x 4v4 Field
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2 x 4v4 Fields
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2 x 4v4 Fields
|
|
7v7 Grassroots
|
1 x 7v7 Field
|
1 x 7v7 Field
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2 x 7v7 Fields
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2 x 7v7 Fields
|
|
9v9 Grassroots
|
1 x 9v9 Field
|
1 x 9v9 Field
|
2 x 9v9 Fields
|
2 x 9v9 Fields
|
|
11v11 Grassroots
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1 x Full Size Field
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1 x Full Size Field
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2 x Full Size Fields
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2 x Full Size Fields
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|
D License
|
1 x Full Size Field
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2 x Full Size Fields
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3 x Full Size Fields
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4 x Full Size Fields
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- Fields have to be lined and have appropriate size goals.
- This venue can be at a separate venue to the classroom
- Indoor Playing Space is permitted and may be required in case of inclement weather.
- Select a person to act as the host for the course to liaise with Kentucky Youth Soccer Technical Director & Course Instructors.
- Clubs wishing to host a course must contact Derek Willis for approval at least four (4) weeks in advance of the requested starting dates.
- Two Grassroots courses an be hosted in one day
- Clubs hosting a D License Course will have to set a minimum of weeks and a maximum of six moths for the Development Period between weekend 1 and 2
- Kentucky Youth Soccer Association will assign course instructors. The club Technical Directors may be used if they posses the US Instructor License and approved by Kentucky Youth Soccer.
- All courses will be hosted in the US Soccer Learning Center.
Kentucky Youth Soccer Responsibilities:Kentucky Youth Soccer will assign Instructor(s). Promotion of the course will be done through Kentucky Youth Soccer publications, email, direct mail and through our web site. Certification will be given only to those candidates who attend the entire course and successfully complete the course requirements.
Extra Coaching Clinics: Kentucky Youth Soccer offers specialized clinics for clubs to host. Clubs wishing to host a Recreational Coach Clinic, Parent Awareness Training or a Specialized Tactical Topic should contact Derek Willis for more details.
U.S. Soccer Learning Center Resources